Job 23:13-17

Job 23:13-17

[13] But he is in one  mind, and who can turn  him? and what his soul  desireth,  even that he doeth.  [14] For he performeth  the thing that is appointed  for me: and many  such  [15] Therefore am I troubled  at his presence:  when I consider,  I am afraid  [16] For God  maketh my heart  soft,  and the Almighty  troubleth  [17] Because I was not cut off  before  the darkness,  neither hath he covered  the darkness  from my face. 

What does Job 23:13-17 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

God"s irresistible power and inscrutable behavior made Job afraid ( Job 23:13-17). Nevertheless he determined to confront God with His apparent injustice.
Job could not understand why God did not always judge overt sin quickly ( Job 24:1-12). Most people still have the same question. He mentioned three sins specifically: removing boundary landmarks and thereby appropriating someone else"s land, stealing flocks of sheep, and mistreating the weak. Job could not see why God seemingly ignored the perpetrators of these terrible sins, yet afflicted him so severely. Neither could he see why God did not judge sinners who practiced secret atrocities, specifically: murderers, adulterers, and burglars ( Job 24:14-17).